Development of in-Situ Al-Si/CuAl₂ Metal Matrix Composites: Microstructure, Hardness, and Wear Behavior

Mechanical Activation-Assisted Solid-State Aluminothermic Reduction of CuO Powders for In-Situ Copper Matrix Composite Fabrication

In this study, combustion synthesis involving mechanical milling and subsequent sintering process was utilised to fabricate Cu/AlxCuy/Al2O3 in-situ composite through the aluminothermic reduction of CuO powders. First, CuO and Al powders were mixed, and ball milled for 30–150 min to facilitate self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). Then, mechanically activated Al-CuO powders were mixed with elemental Cu powders and experienced subsequent cold compaction and sintering processes. The reactions during synthesis were studied utilising differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Densification and hardness of green and sintered bodies were also obtained. The results indicated that despite the negative free energy of the aluminothermic reaction, an initial activation energy supply is required, and mixed Al-CuO powders did not show significant progress in the combustion synthesis method. The aluminothermic reaction became probable whenever the activation energy was entirely provided by high-energy ball milling or by the sintering of ball-milled Al-CuO mixed powders. DTA results showed that the aluminothermic reaction temperature of Al-CuO decreased with milling times, whereas after 150 min of ball milling, the reaction was completed. XRD patterns revealed that the formation of Al2Cu and Al2O3 reinforcing phases resulted from CuO reduction with Al. Al4Cu9, Cu solid solution, and Al oxide phases were observed in sintered samples. The relative density of the samples was reduced compared to the green compacted parts due to the nature of the Cu-Al alloy and the occurrence of the swelling phenomenon. The hardness results indicated that in-situ formation of reinforcing phases in samples that experienced thermally assisted thermite reaction yielded superior hardness.

Effect of the Hot Deformation Conditions on Structure and Mechanical Properties of AlCr/AlCrSi Powder Composites

Aluminum matrix composites usually contain strengthening particles of refractory compounds (SiC, Al2O3) that do not react with the Al matrix. There is a problem in producing the Al matrix composite with inclusion of metals that can generate intermetallic compounds with aluminum. In this case, a conventional sintering of powder mixtures results in high porosity due to volume growth. That is why some new methods of producing dense Al matrix composites are required. A possibility to create a dense powder Al-based composite containing hard components, such as chromium and silicon, without using the sintering process, is considered. This paper presents study results of structural and mechanical properties of Al-Cr and Al-Cr-Si composites produced by hot compaction of powder mixtures. An analysis of the relationship between mechanical properties and structures of Al-Cr and Al-Cr-Si composites is carried out. Optimal values for thermomechanical processing modes that ensure sufficient strength and plasticity are determined. It is shown that strong bonding of the aluminum particles occurs under hot deformation, and an aluminum matrix is formed that provides acceptable composite bending strength as a result. The presence of chromium and silicon hard inclusions is not a significant obstacle for aluminum plastic flow. Al-Cr and Al-Cr-Si composites produced by hot deformation of the powder mixtures can be used as cathode material for the deposition of wear-resistant nitride coatings on metalworking tools.

Comparative Study on Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Al-Si Alloy Cast from Sand Mold and Binder Jetting Mold

This investigation is focused on the corrosion evaluation of an as-cast Al-Si alloy, obtained by two different casting methods: traditional sand casting and three-printing casting, using a binder jetted mold. The experimental results are discussed in terms of chemical composition, microstructure, hardness, and corrosion behavior of two different casting parts. The microstructure and composition of the sample before and after the corrosion tests was analyzed using light microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (DRX). The corrosion of the two processed castings was analyzed using anodic polarization (PA) test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in an aerated solution of 3.5% by weight NaCl, similar to the seawater environment. After the corrosion process, the samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma/optical emission spectrometry (ICP/OES); the composition was used to determine the chloride solution after immersion times. The sample processed by binder jetting mold showed higher corrosion resistance with nobler potentials, lower corrosion densities, higher polarization resistance, and more stable passive layers than the sample processed by sand casting. This improvement of corrosion resistance could be related to the presence of coarse silicon particles, which decrease of cathodic/anodic ratio and the number of micro-galvanic couples, and the lower amount of intermetallic β Al-Fe-Si phase observed in cast alloy solidified in binder jetting mold.

Investigations of the Tribological Performance of A390 Alloy Hybrid Aluminum Matrix Composite

Several challenges stand in the way of the production of metal matrix composites (MMCs) such as higher processing temperatures, particulate mixing, particulate⁻matrix interface bonding issues, and the ability to process into desired geometrical shapes. Although there are many studies showing composites with single particulate reinforcements, studies on composites with multiple reinforcing agents (hybrid composites) are found to be limited. Development of a hybrid particulate composite with optimized mechanical and tribological properties is very significant to suit modern engineering applications. In this study, Al⁻Si hypereutectic alloy (A390) was used as the matrix and silicon carbide (SiC), graphite (Gr), and molybdenum di-sulphide (MoS₂) were used as particulates. Particulate volume (wt %) was varied and sample test castings were made using a squeeze casting process through a stir casting processing route. The evaluation of the mechanical testing indicates that the presence of both the hard phase (SiC) and the soft phase had distinct effect on the properties of the hybrid aluminum matrix composites (HAMCs). Composite samples were characterized to understand the performance and to meet the tribological applications. The 3D profilometry of the fractured surfaces revealed poor ductility and scanning electron microscopy fractography study indicated an intra-granular brittle fracture for HAMCs. Also, the dry sliding wear tests indicated that the newly developed HAMCs had better tribological performance compared to that of A390 alloy.

Phase Transformation Induced Self-Healing Behavior of Al-Ag Alloy

Self-healing alloys are promising materials that can decrease the consequences of accidents. To detect crack formation in a material is simple task that can be performed by e.g., sonic or ultrasound detection, but it is not always possible to immediately replace the damaged parts. In this situation, it is very advantageous to have the chance to heal the crack during operation, which can be done e.g., by annealing. In this paper, self-healing behavior was proven by TEM (Transmission electron microscope) observation of crack healing after annealing. The crack was observed in the rapidly solidified Al-30Ag alloy with non-equilibrium phase composition formed by a minor amount of Ag₂Al and a supersaturated solid solution of Ag in an fcc-Al matrix (fcc = face centered cubic). After annealing at 450 °C, equilibrium phase composition was obtained by forming a higher amount of Ag₂Al. This phase transformation did not allow the crack to be healed. Subsequent annealing at 550 °C caused recrystallization to a supersaturated solid solution of Ag in fcc-Al, followed by a return to the mixture of fcc-Al and Ag₂Al by cooling, and this process was accompanied by the closing of the crack. This observation proved the self-healing possibilities of the Ag₂Al phase. Practical application of this self-healing behavior could be achieved through the dispersion of fine Ag₂Al particles in a structural material, which will enrich the material with self-healing properties.